Meet Our Family

Madeline Matthys

But [the Empire] is more than a competition - it is a time to make connections with people all around the world.

Where are you now?

I’m a senior in high school and will be attending Duke University in the fall.

How, if at all, did the Empire help you get there?

Empire has taught me that I can always go farther with something that I love to do. It taught me that no matter what the results are, it is always possible to learn from an experience and come away more confident and outgoing.

What’s your favorite Empire moment?

My first time at Empire (during Hurricane Sandy), at the awards ceremony, Justin Matarrese took the mic to announce the top two teams that would be going into the finals. We heard our California rivals called first. Then, although I didn’t understand what he meant, Justin started talking about the rarity of a ‘perfect run.’ A team who literally went undefeated on every ballot. Our team was in shock – this was the first time we were at Empire, and we were going into the finals ranked number 1.

How would you describe the Empire to someone that has never been?

Empire is the epitome of all things mock trial – stimulating, nerve-racking, entertaining, and most of all, unforgettable. Here, the greatest teams from around the world come to battle it out for the title of the world champion. The trials here come close to flawless – the level of competition is so high that all teams rise to another level. But it is more than a competition – it is a time to make connections with people all around the world. It’s a place where you make friends with people from Seattle to Scotland, from Alabama to Australia. It is truly an experience of a lifetime.